RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC.
Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future
|
RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future |
|
| January 14, 2007 We have been home nearly a month and are still trying to adjust to the change in climate. As I type this, the temperature outside is hovering near zero. It was -9 degrees Fahrenheit when we got up this morning. It is a real change when one has become accustomed to 100 + degrees. During our stay in Zimbabwe, Red Cross selected our Mission as a test site for teaching the local people about crop production. This location was selected because of the large garden area that had been fenced eight or ten years ago. The Red Cross supplied wheel barrows, watering cans, hoes, shovels, potting soil and seeds as well as some small fruit trees. They also furnished a large supply of shade cloth to protect young plants from the intense sun. One of the plants that they supplied seeds for were the Maringa tree. By the time we were preparing to leave, the seeds had sprouted and had been transplanted into individual pots. There were more than 200 trees ready for distribution for anyone in the community that wanted to get involved. Since the school garden had not yet been planted with a new crop of vegetables, they were given 90 Maringa starts. 45 trees had been planted the morning we were preparing to leave and then it began to rain. Never in my life have I seen it rain so hard. In fact we left earlier than planned because we were afraid the road to the tarmac would become impassable. Ralph had to back the truck onto our veranda in order to be able to load up our suitcases without getting soaked. Maringa trees will grow very rapidly to a height of 12 to 15 feet, if they are not kept pruned. This tree has great nutritional value and will be ready for the first harvest in six to nine months. All parts of the tree, leaves, bark, branches and roots, have enormous nutritional value. It isn’t practical to use the bark or roots as it would destroy the tree. However, the leaves can be cooked and served as a vegetable much like spinach. Or the leaves and small twigs can be dried and crushed to a fine powder. One tablespoon of this powder sprinkled on porridge once a day has enormous nutritional value. It contains more protein than a glass of milk. It has proven very successful when fed to malnourished children. Once a child has improved health, only one teaspoon of the powder is used for maintenance. We are very optimistic that this may give us some hope in building up the immune system of many of the HIV positive orphans. It is possible that the production from these trees will be greater than is needed by the Feeding Program. In such a situation, there is a big market for the powder in Zimbabwe, especially among HIV positive people. Any income would then go to support the Orphan Care Center. Mr. Bondeponde called this week and reported that the trees were doing very well. He indicated that he and the Advisory Board Chairman had driven to South Africa and purchased tires for the Orphan Care truck and term supplies for the Orphan Care Center. In spite of the expense of the trip, it has proven to be more economical than purchasing supplies locally. Frequently necessary supplies are not available locally. Mr. Bondeponde also reported that the Sewing and Knitting Co-ops have moved into their new building. It finally stopped raining so that the builder could finish painting the outside of the building. As I bring this to a close, Ralph and I wish each of you a Happy New Year. We thank you for your continued support. We ask that you pray for us as we make decisions concerning the work in Zimbabwe. In His Service, Ralph and Roberta |
|
Renewed Hope Charitable Foundation, Inc. | a 501(c)(3) charity | P.O. Box 1476 | Castle Rock, Colorado | 80104-1476
|